Simpler Australian domain names than ever before have recently become available through .au direct! The shorter the domain, the easier it is for your customers to reach your website.
With the release of .au direct in March 2022, you no longer need to have extensions like .com before the .au in your website address (commonly referred to as your domain name).
For example, if you own the domain name “yourbusiness.com.au”, you can now register to use “yourbusiness.au” and simplify the address where your customers reach you.
Now it’s not as simple as just typing in “yourbusiness.au” and immediately being taken to your website, but don’t worry the process of setting it up is very easy!
If you already have your domain registered with GoHosting, jump straight to step 3 and we’ll sort the rest out for you!
If you have an existing domain name ending in .au (like .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, etc.), let’s try and lock in your matching .au domain name. First we’ll check if there are others who are eligible to apply for the same domain and if any of them already have applied. To do this head to auDA’s Priority Status Tool and type in your existing web address in the text box provided.
On the following screen you’ll see other domains who can apply for the same name with priority. If none of them have an applied status, progress to step 2. Sometimes you will find others do have applied status, you can still apply to keep yourself in the running but you’ll need to check auDA’s .au terms and conditions to find out the best way to move forward.
If you don’t have an existing domain name ending in .au (like .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, etc.), read through the eligibility section of this article; provided you’re eligible, jump to Step 3.
Now we’ll need to grab a Priority Token ID. For this head to auDA’s Priority Token form and fill in your details. After submitting, a verification email will be sent to the email address associated with your existing domain registration. If this isn’t you, you might need to get in touch with someone who has access to the associated email address. Follow the prompts of that email and retrieve the Priority Token ID and the Priority Contact ID.
To apply for priority status or register a new .au direct domain, head to GoHosting.au and type in the name of the domain you want. Our tool will tell you if you can register for that domain right away or if you will have to apply for priority status. After following the prompts, if you’re an existing customer, simply login and the process will be sorted out for you. If you’re new to GoHosting, click “complete new order” and fill in the form provided. Note that if you are registering a new .au domain, you don’t need to fill in the priority contact or token details.
Now you’re done!
If you’d like some assistance going through the set up process, get in touch with our friendly Aussie staff who can help walk you through the steps.
.au direct domain names – like yourbusiness.au – are obtainable as a new option for Australian internet users. They’re open to anyone with a verified connection to Australia who wants to create or manage an online presence for themselves or their organisation.
We’re currently in a period known as the “Priority Application Period”. This means if you have an existing domain name ending in .au (like .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, etc.), then you can apply and obtain the .au direct exact match before it’s publicly available. To register the .au direct match of your existing domain name, you will need to apply for Priority Status before 21 September.
To check your priority category or see if there are other registrants eligible for the .au direct name as you, use auDA’s Priority Status Tool.
If you don’t currently have an existing domain, you’re still able to register for names that aren’t exact matches of existing websites. As of 4 October, you’ll be able to apply for any .au domain you like regardless of the other .com.au domains.
Don’t worry! Your existing .com.au domain name and all other similar namespaces (.org.au, .net.au, etc.) aren’t going anywhere. This release is just to provide a simpler alternative for all Australians. If you register a .au direct domain, your visitors that still remember your .com.au address can still reach the same location through both addresses.
Get in touch with us to guarantee your .au direct domain today!
For information on eligibility and priority terms & conditions visit auDA’s website
1300 85 10 14
